Artificial Intelligence and Collaborative Learning: Impacts on Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Problem-Solving

Abstract

The rapid development of large anguage models (LLMs) has sparked growing interest in their potential to transform education. This study explores how LLMs influence collaborative learning, focusing on student creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collective intelligence. Specifically, it investigates whether artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted group work enhances or hinders these aspects of the learning process. We used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, structured interviews, and analysis of student project outputs. We collected data from 102 undergraduate students via questionnaires and 15 follow-up interviews, which offered deeper insight into their experiences using LLMs in team-based projects. The study examined how LLMs affected group dynamics, idea generation, consensus building, and overall productivity. Findings revealed no significant differences in student perceptions based on digital familiarity, AI comfort, or prior AI use, suggesting that digital competency does not strongly shape how students perceive the influence of LLMs on collaboration and creativity. As AI continues to evolve, the findings highlight the importance of designing LLMs that support rather than disrupt human collaboration, emphasizing the need for alignment between AI tools and educational values.